Addressing the demonstrators on behalf of the Ondo state government, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Bola Taiwo, faulted the surveyors for going to the site without security escorts. He accused them of receiving substantial payments from their client yet failing to invest in their own safety.
Akure, Nigeria – Hundreds of women took to the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, to express their outrage over the reported abduction of nine surveyors in the Ilu Abo community, located in Akure North Local Government Area.
The victims were allegedly seized by unidentified gunmen while working in a forested area. Reports also indicate that four communities within the local government—Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun—came under attack from suspected bandits in the early hours of Saturday. The assault reportedly led to the loss of several lives.
Carrying tree branches as a symbol of their protest, the women gathered at Ijemikin and marched to the state government secretariat in Alagbaka, chanting solidarity songs to decry the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, one of the protesters, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Arowosafe, revealed that some of them were relatives of the kidnapped surveyors. She disclosed that the kidnappers had contacted the families, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.
“Our men have been missing since last Tuesday, and their captors are demanding N100 million, which we cannot afford. We are calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene and secure their release,” Arowosafe pleaded.
Addressing the demonstrators on behalf of the Ondo state government, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Bola Taiwo, faulted the surveyors for going to the site without security escorts. He accused them of receiving substantial payments from their client yet failing to invest in their own safety.
“If they have not reported the case to the police, they should do so immediately, as that is the first step before the government can take action,” Taiwo stated. “These days, surveyors should not visit work sites without police escorts. No one can be abducted without insider involvement.”
Taiwo further claimed that the kidnappers were likely from within the community, asserting that no external group could carry out such an operation without local collaboration.
Meanwhile, efforts to contact the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, for comments were unsuccessful, as her phone line was unreachable at the time of this report.
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